Groundwork in Southampton
Groundwork Solent established a partnership with Southampton City council (SCC) in July 2006 following 2 years of development work culminating in a proposal to extend Groundwork Solent into Southampton. This proposal sets out a range of programmes and activities which Groundwork would undertake over a six year period including projects that focus on 3 key themes:
- Improvements to green spaces and community access
- Improving the environment of housing estates
- Involving young people in transforming their city.
To coordinate Groundwork’s work in the city, a delivery board has now been established that will oversee the progress of the programme.
Outlined below is a selection of projects in Southampton presently under development.
Daisy Dip
Groundwork Solent has been working with Southampton City Council to consult and involve residents of Bassett and Swaythling in environmental improvements to Daisy Dip, and to prepare proposals on these improvements and the future management of the site.
Comprehensive landscape, ecology and arboriculture surveys have already been made, and from these a number of potential improvements have been identified, including the repair of bridges, the removal of invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and laurel, and improvement of habitats.
On the 10th November a special BBC Breathing Spaces event was held at Daisy Dip, which was attended by several organisations, including Groundwork, the Hawthorns Centre, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust and the RSPCA. The event was promoted by interviews on local radio prior to and on the day of the event, and the event was also listed on the Autumn Watch television programme. As well as a number of fun activities on offer, there was the opportunity to express ideas on how the park could be improved and also to take part in some of the physical work at the site, involving the opening up of a previously unsafe and unpleasant pathway, allowing native species to flourish. The clearance works also allowed the participation of volunteers from the Southampton University’s Student Community Action group and a number of people from the Hampshire Probation Service. Further work was undertaken on the 24th and 25th November, which was again carried out with the aid of Student Community Action, Hampshire Probation Service and residents of the area.
During the event there was much interest from residents in setting a ‘Friends of Daisy Dip’ group, which would be involved in the future management of the park. Groundwork Solent is now in the process of helping to establish this group, ensuring that members of the local community have a say in the future management and development of their local park.
Weston Shore Multi Use Games Area
Weston Shore (a former landfill site) is a unique location in the city, a linear undeveloped piece of shoreline (2,2km) long with wide open spaces, West Wood and the intertidal flats which are of international importance for waterfowl. Southampton City Council is leading on a major £1.5m regeneration of the area.
Groundwork Solent was commissioned by Southampton City Council to produce a masterplan for the recreational elements of the wider redevelopment, namely the multi-use games area, entrance to the adjacent West Wood, and the refurbishment of the existing Pirates Play area.
With the site bordering major housing estates, and the Weston Shore being the only accessible open space to this traditionally isolated and deprived ward, this project satisfies a major need and presents a genuine opportunity for a step change in provision for local residents.
Groundwork Solent delivered the multi-use games area from consultation, design, fundraising and implementation, raising £130,000 in third party funding.
In addition to the £40,000 capital sum from Barclays, a further £20,000 was secured from Barclays to fund a three year development programme providing a range of sports and coaching courses on site. This is being delivered by Southampton City Council Youth Service.
Holyrood Play Area
The play facility in Holyrood estate is a vital open space for residents and young people in the area. The multi use games area that presently occupies most of the play space is a well utilised facility, but dominates the majority of the space, and is in need of replacement due to its age.
Groundwork Solent is presently working with the local residents association, local housing office and the Central Neighbourhoods Partnership, to redevelop the play area. During the summer school holidays residents and young people were able to comment on a concept design for the site as well as discuss how they would like the play space improved.
A focus group has been set up to work with the landscape architect on a final design for the site. A final design will be completed in April 2008, with applications to funding bodies to follow.
Portswood Park
Groundwork Solent is working with Southampton City Council Open Spaces department to make environmental improvements to Portswood Park. The aim is to create a park that enhances the present facilities and provides for all of its users.
A public consultation event was held to ascertain the views of the people that use the site. The park is used extensively by local residents, young people and dog walkers, and so it was essential that the final design plan reflected the variety of users and their needs. With this in mind Groundwork Solent has produced a design proposal for the park that reflects this range of requirements.
As well as the consultation activities, Groundwork Solent is now working to raise funds to begin construction on site.
4 Portland Buildings
Stoke Road Gosport
Hampshire PO12 1JH
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E gosport@groundwork.org.uk